The UNC women's lacrosse team made a statement in their NCAA Tournament opener, wasting no time in dismantling ACC rival Clemson with a commanding 17-6 victory on Sunday. The Tar Heels, looking every bit like a team destined for a second consecutive national championship, came out firing with 14 first-half goals that left the Tigers scrambling for answers.
Leading the charge was superstar Chloe Humphrey, who delivered a jaw-dropping seven-goal performance—six of which came in the first half alone. Humphrey's first goal tied the game at 1-1, and by the time she added her final tally of the half, UNC had built an insurmountable 12-1 lead. She capped her day with a seventh goal early in the third quarter, putting an exclamation point on a dominant display.
While Clemson entered the second quarter trailing just 5-1—a manageable deficit on paper—the Tar Heels exploded for nine goals in the second period, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback. The Tigers, who finish their season at 15-6, simply had no answer for UNC's relentless attack.
The offensive fireworks didn't stop with Humphrey. Addison Pattillo, Reese King, and Carolina Godine each recorded hat tricks, while Kiley Mottice added a goal of her own. It was a team effort that showcased the depth and firepower that make the Tar Heels such a formidable force in women's lacrosse.
Next up for UNC is a Thursday rematch with Stanford in the NCAA Quarterfinals at Dorrance Field. The Cardinal (17-4) advanced after a narrow 13-12 win over ranked Michigan, but they'll be looking for revenge after falling 12-8 to the Tar Heels back in April. With revenge on their minds, Stanford will surely bring their best game.
Should UNC advance, they'll face the winner of the showdown between top-ranked Northwestern and Colorado. The Tar Heels' lone loss this season came against the Wildcats in March, but with Humphrey leading the way and the team firing on all cylinders, Carolina Blue is poised for another deep run. The path to a second straight title is challenging, but if any team is up to the task, it's this Tar Heels squad.